I am a community ecologist studying the processes that influence the number of species that coexist in natural systems. I use insect communities as model systems because they are easy to manipulate and control in both laboratory and field experiments. Over the past 10 years, I have focused on relationships between body size and competitive ability in dragonfly communities, and have shown that dragonfly species use perches of different heights as a consequence of a competitive hierarchy; large species use tall perches and, through competitive interactions, relegate smaller species to progressively shorter perches. I have published over 30 article in peer-reviewed journals, and I am particularly proud of the many Furman students who have coauthored papers with me. I have led many of Furman's study away programs to Costa Rica (Tropical Ecology) and Galapagos (Darwin and the Galapagos). In addition, I am the faculty supervisor of the Furman Forest initiative with the Nature Conservancy, and the Lake Restoration project.​

Faculty Courses Taught

Name

Title

Description

BIO-075

Seminar in Biology

Presentations of current topics in biology by students, faculty, and visiting scientists. Emphasis is on effective oral communication and critical examination of scientific information and ideas.

BIO-102

Biology and the Environment

The basic principles common to living organisms, with emphasis on environmental biology. Designed for non-science majors. Topics include: ecology, evolution, biodiversity, and environmental issues, plus a synopsis of cellular biology, genetics, and physiology.

BIO-111

Foundations of Biology

Introduction to the unifying concepts of biology. Topics include: cell structure and function, metabolism, genetics, evolution, and the diversity of life. Laboratories emphasize an investigative approach. Designed for science majors.

BIO-221

Genetics

Introduction to the study of inheritance. Topics include: transmission of genes in cellular and organismal reproduction, structure and arrangement of genetic material in the cell, control and function of genes, and population genetics. Equal emphasis given to inheritance patterns and molecular genetics. Laboratories include testing the genetics of Drosophila and other organisms, and basic molecular techniques.

BIO-222

Research and Analysis

Introduction to purposes and methods of scientific inquiry. Topics include: philosophy of science, research design, use of biological literature sources, fundamental laboratory techniques, statistical analysis, and survey of careers in biology. Laboratory includes designing, performing, and reporting on research projects.

BIO-255

Insect Diversity

Field-based survey of the major groups of insects. Lecture will focus on the evolutionary history, ecology, and taxonomy of insects. The primary component will be collection, identification, and preservation of insect specimens, contributing to the all taxa biological surveys" on campus and at the Furman Forest."

BIO-340

Ecology

The interactions between organisms and their environments, and the consequences of these interactions for population dynamics, community structure, and the flow of energy and matter through ecosystems. Also, consideration of environmental issues and conservation. Laboratories include local field work, experiments, and possibly one or two overnight/weekend field trips.

BIO-342

Fld Stds in Tropical Ecology

Students visit a variety of habitats including tropical rain forests, tropical dry forests, and cloud forests in Costa Rica. Intensive study of natural history will be combined with original ecological investigations and preparation of research papers.

BIO-440

Popultn Genetics & Evolution

Evolutionary mechanisms that change the genetic structure of populations. Patterns of evolutionary change documented by the fossil record, biogeography, comparative anatomy and genetic similarity. Labs include experiments in Drosophila evolution, computer simulations, and at least one field trip (fossils).

FYW-1127

To Walk the Land

Through weekly hikes, the goal of this seminar is that you would come to know and enjoy the land, your local upstate environment, in a deeper way; to appreciate its natural and cultural history; to better understand our connection to and dependence on the land; and to communicate this new understanding effectively. This seminar is physically demanding and time consuming because of one six-hour afternoon hike and one two-hour discussion meeting per week.

FYW-1200

Competition in Nature & Cltr

The Super Bowl. Democrats vs. Republicans. Ford vs. Chevy. Competition permeates our culture, but is competition fundamental to how humans and all organisms interact? Examining the nature and importance of competitive and cooperative interactions in nature and society.

FYW-1272

Biodiversity

Through field trips, readings, videos, and writing assignments, students will learn about the breath and importance of life's diversity and will meet some of the unique and 'alien' species that share our world. Students will maintain a writer's journal, complete three papers (with revisions), and have an exam on lecture material. This seminar focuses on broader patterns, ecological relationships, and specific 'biographies' of interesting species.

Faculty Tab 3 description

I am continually fascinated, inspired, awed, and renewed when I observe and study living things. In many ways, my teaching is a way to express my excitement and love for life, and to try and inspire this interest in my students. I believe in information-rich, high content, high complexity courses; I believe that is the only way to convey the extraordinary richness and complexity of nature to students. And yet, in all that complexity, the order and understanding that the scientific study of nature has revealed becomes all the more remarkable. Through science--and science alone--we examine the bias of our senses and reject the obvious in favor of insight: the earth is not flat, the sun does not orbit the earth, matter is not 'solid', and species are not separately created. I am excited to be a part of this process of inquiry, and my philosophy is to invite students to join me and my colleagues in this endeavor.

Worthen, W. B. and C. M. Jones*. 2007. The effects of wind speed, competition, and body size on perch height selection in a guild of Libellulidae species (Odonata). International Journal of Odonatology 257-272.

Worthen, W. B. and T. R. McGuire. 1988. A criticism of the aggregation model of coexistence: non- independent distribution of dipteran species on ephemeral resources. American Naturalist 131:453-458.

Worthen, W. B. and E. W. Stiles. 1988. Pollen-limited fruit set in isolated patches of Maianthemum canadense (Desf.) in New Jersey. Bulletin of the Torrey Botanical Club 115:299-305.

Worthen, W. B. and E. W. Stiles. 1986. Phenotypic and demographic variability among patches of Maianthemum canadense (Desf.) in central New Jersey, and the use of self-incompatibility for clone discrimination. Bulletin of the Torrey Botanical Club 113:398-405.

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